Category: News

The Tullahoma Police Department says it has been made aware of “several different scams being perpetrated against our citizens recently.” 

In light of recent scam attempts, the department offered some tips for people to follow when dealing with scams and potentials scams. 

1. Government agencies will never ask for payment in the form of gift cards or prepaid credit cards;

2. Verify who you are speaking to, and don’t give personal information out over the phone to someone that you do not know;

3. Scammers have the ability to “spoof” legitimate phone numbers and make the Caller ID show up as a legitimate number;

4. If someone is offering something of great value to you for a minimum or minor upfront cost, it is a scam and someone is trying to separate you from your hard earned money.

Most scams originate from out of state and our country making the likely hood of recovering money and or prosecuting the scammer very unlikely. 

Join us at Thunder Radio and Rosalyn Partin of the Manchester H&R Block and congratulate our student of the week – Ashton Ferrell.

Ashton is a sophomore at Coffee County Central High School in Mrs. Carney’s homeroom. He is the son of Bobby and Alexis Ferrell. His favorite subject is Math. He plans to attend the University of Tennessee and pursue a career in engineering. In his free time, Ashton enjoys fishing and spending time outdoors.

Rosalyn Partin, owner of the Manchester H&R Block, has been inspired to recognize great kids in our community all year long. H&R Block gives each Student of the Week a gift card, a commemorative plaque, as well as a special letter of recognition. Job well done, Ashton.

(Pictured above, Ashton Ferrell receives his student of the week award from Rosalyn Partin and Thunder Radio’s Holly Peterson (far right)).

The Tennessee Housing Development Agency’s rent relief application process is now live.

You can apply online here  or call 844-500-1112. THDA is ready to help renters and landlords who have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance is available for past-due rent and utilities.

The COVID-19 Rent Relief program was developed in an effort to support renters who are or have been struggling to pay rent, utilities, or other home energy costs due to loss of wages/income as a result of the pandemic. Funding will be available to households for payment of delinquent (past due) expenses. In addition, eligible future rent may also be covered for eligible households.

Wednesday, March 3, was the final early release Wednesday of the school year for Tullahoma City Schools.

Beginning Wednesday March 10, dismissal will be at 3 p.m. for K-8 schools and 3:15 or the high school.

The system announced the change in scheduling for early release days is due to snow days taken from Feb. 16-19. The system is exchanging early release days to avoid having to add more school days to the calendar at the end of the term.

A fire investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a Bedford County woman on an arson charge.

On September 22, 2020, TBI Agents joined the Bedford County Fire Department in investigating a fire that occurred at a home in the 600 block of Fruit Valley Road. During the course of the investigation, Agents determined that the fire had been intentionally set and that Danielle Nicole Harris (DOB 8/21/84) was the individual responsible.

In January, the Bedford County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging Harris with one count of Aggravated Arson. She was arrested on Tuesday and booked into the Bedford County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

John Michael Poss, a 33 year old white male who was on the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s most wanted list for First Degree murder out of Cumberland County, has been captured in Warren County, according to authorities.

TBI announced on Monday that Poss had been captured in Warren County and thanked law enforcement partners from the Warren County Sheriff’s Department, 12th Judicial Drug Task Force, Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, the Nashville US Marshals, Chattanooga US Marshals and McMinnville Police Department.

The Manchester VFW post 10904 has announced it has scheduled Vietnam-Era Veterans Honors events for May 13 and 15.

On May 13 at 6 p.m. there will be a veterans and family honors dinner at 6 p.m. at the Coffee County Veterans Building at 130 Shelton Rd. in Manchester. This is a free event with special guest speaker Captain William Robinson with the US Air Force. You need to register for this event by contacting Kimberly King at 251-554-8836 or by emailing flygal46@yahoo.com. This is limited to the first 100 registrants.

On May 15 at the Coffee County Fairgounds will be a Vietnam-Era Veterans Honors day and Fair. This event will include food vendors and entertainment. This event is open to the public with free entry and free parking. Learn more at www.vfwpost10904.com

Last week, the Tennessee Department of Education announced the 18 schools selected to participate in the first cohort of the Teaching All Students (TAS) Initiative to serve students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Through a five-year, $5.5 million State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), the first cohort of this initiative will strengthen instructional practices in schools across the state to better support students with significant cognitive disabilities.

The TAS Initiative will fund training, coaching, and tools to help high school teachers and staff build an accessible learning environment for all students, with the goals of reducing the achievement gap and increasing the graduation rate and enrollment in postsecondary education through inclusive higher education, technical colleges, community colleges and competitive integrated employment for students with complex needs.

“Through this grant, the department is able to launch the Teaching All Students Initiative to provide an opportunity for schools across the state to focus on supports for our students with complex needs to help them reach their fullest potential,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn. “All students deserve access to a high-quality education and this grant provides highly-requested technical assistance to support our teachers as they provide instruction to students with disabilities.”

From across the state, high school teams, composed of a school administrator, general education teacher, special education teacher, and district special education director submitted applications for the opportunity to participate in TAS trainings, coaching, and technical assistance.

The following schools were selected to participate in the TAS Initiative:
• Cascade High School, Bedford County Schools
• East Hamilton High School, Hamilton County Schools
• Hillwood High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools
• Hixson High School, Hamilton County Schools
• Houston High School, Germantown Municipal School District
• KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School, Metro Nashville Public Schools/KIPP Nashville Schools
• Lookout Valley High School, Hamilton County Schools
• Martin Luther King Jr. College Prep High School, Frayser Community Schools—Achievement School District
• Maryville City High School, Maryville City Schools
• McMinn County High School, McMinn County Schools
• Sequatchie County High School, Sequatchie County Schools
• South Fulton Middle and High School, Obion County Schools
• South Greene High School, Greene County Schools
• Tullahoma High School, Tullahoma City Schools
• Volunteer High Schools, Hawkins County Schools
• Westview High School, Weakley County Schools
• White County High School, White County Schools
• White House Heritage High School, Robertson County Schools

Additionally, selected schools will receive mini-grants for implementation of the TAS Initiative. Through a competitive procurement process, additional partners will be selected to help schools implement this work.

Administered through the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) within the U.S. Department of Education, the State Personnel Development Grants (SPDG) program assists state education agencies and their partners to improve results for children with disabilities through systems of professional development and dissemination of knowledge about best practices to educators and families.

This grant builds on the department’s previous SPDG and supports teachers in providing students with disabilities with meaningful access to and participation in standards-aligned instruction.

2nd Lt. Michael Hareld transferred from the
U.S. Air Force to the U.S. Space Force, becoming the first full-time member
of the U.S. Space Force on Arnold Air Force Base.

While visiting Arnold AFB on Feb. 5, Gen. David Thompson, vice chief of
space operations for the U.S. Space Force, administered the U.S. Space Force
Oath of Office to Hareld.

Hareld said the chance to become a part of the U.S. Space Force is special
to him and isn’t an opportunity he takes lightly.

“I am excited about becoming a pioneer in the newest branch of the U.S.
military,” he said. “The opportunity to contribute in the very beginning
stages of development is once in a lifetime, and I did not want to miss it.
I am also excited to create a unique, but familiar, military culture within
the U.S. Space Force. The feeling of exclusivity and special-mission focus
is humbling and intense to say the least.”

Hareld said he first started the process for transferring by filling out an
application.

“My job in the Air Force was one of the few selected to have the option to
switch to the U.S. Space Force,” he said. “I submitted an application to
transfer, which was accepted after review of my records, such as performance
history, experience and recommendations.”

Over his last 11 years in the Air Force, Hareld has been a computer
technician as an airman, a Department of Defense courier as staff sergeant,
a high frequency radio operator as tech sergeant, and now a test manager in
the arc heater test facility as second lieutenant at Arnold.

“I will promote to first lieutenant in September of this year, and once I
depart this base in the fall of 2022, I will head to a space-centric
assignment where, as far as I know, I will be performing my core duty as an
acquisitions manager,” he said.

Hareld added that he would not be as confident in going after new
opportunities if it wasn’t for the support of his friends and family.

“All of my friends and my family have been so extremely supportive of my
career choices,” he said. “The transition to the Space Force is a pivotal
move in my career, and they are eager to become part of it right alongside
me. Everyone is ready to sport the U.S. Space Force apparel and proud to say
they know a Guardian first-hand.

“I would like to recognize each and every person who has supported, believed
in and guided me along the way. Without their encouragement, I would not
have had so many amazing opportunities. Each of them have contributed in
landing me smack dab in the middle of making U.S. military history.”

But no matter which uniform he is wearing, Hareld mentioned that serving his
country is his number one priority.

“The opportunity to serve our country is a blessing. Airman or Guardian, I
am proud to represent, support and defend this great country. I am a patriot
through and through, and serving in the military is a both a privilege and
an honor.”

PICTURED ABOVE: Gen. David Thompson, left, vice chief
of Space Operations, United States Space Force, swears in 2nd Lt. Michael
Hareld to the Space Force during a ceremony at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn.,
headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, Feb. 5, 2021. Hareld
transferred from the Air Force to the Space Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by
Jill Pickett)

Ben Lomand Connect announced Monday that it is opening its doors to a new location in Manchester, Tennessee.
Residing at 1335 McArthur Street, inside the Coffee County Administrative Plaza, the office began operation on Monday, March 1, with hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 am-5 pm.

Roger Bynum, Ben Lomand Board of Director for the Coffee County area, states, “As Ben Lomand has grown in Coffee County, we began to make plans for the office in the fall of 2020. We are so pleased this has come to fruition, and we look forward to serving our new customers on the northern side of Normandy Lake and Pocahontas.”

Joe Roper, Board Member representing Coffee, Bedford, Franklin, and Rutherford counties, adds, “This is also going to be a more convenient location to serve our long-standing customers in Hillsboro, Beech Grove, Pelham, and the city of Manchester. We think this is going to be a wonderful benefit to our customers and the community.”

The office will allow customers to sign up for Ben Lomand Connect services, make bill payments (check and card only) and see demonstrations of services such as BLTV and Ben Lomand Security. The office is also a sales office that provides quotes and packages for many Coffee County businesses of all sizes offering highspeed Internet, phone systems, and managed IT services.

Greg Smartt, new GM/CEO for Ben Lomand Connect, expresses his enthusiasm for the new location stating, “As the new GM/CEO of Ben Lomand Connect, I am thrilled to open the new location on my first official day in my new role. This project was a team effort that included our customer services and sales managers, and we want it to be a one-stop-shop for our service. We think the location is great because customers already come to the building for county services, so it will be more convenient than traveling to our other offices”.

Ben Lomand Connect was incorporated on October 2, 1952, to provide local telephone service to rural middle Tennessee. Ben Lomand began its diversification in 1993 by forming BLC, a wholly-owned long-distance subsidiary. It was the first competitive local exchange carrier in the state of Tennessee. Combined, the two have over 25,400 access lines covering 3,200 square miles of territory. Ben Lomand Connect also offers many other services, including broadband, video, security, hosted IP solutions, and managed IT services.

(Pictured:  Customer Service Manager, Shannon Hamilton helping Ben Lomand’s first customer of the Manchester office — Jim Surber.)